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The basics:

• Gov. Phil Murphy holds final press event as New Jersey’s 56th governor
• State signed an MOU with Nvidia and universities to expand AI research and workforce development
• New Jersey committed $25M toward a statewide AI supercomputer initiative

For the final time as New Jersey’s 56th governor, Phil Murphy held a media event with reporters.

The Jan. 16 gathering at the Gateway Center in Newark marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the State of New Jersey, technology company Nvidia and higher education institutions around the state.

The collaboration is aimed at sharing AI infrastructure to advance research, building on the foundation that has been laid through a series of initiatives here in New Jersey. It aligns state government, Nvidia, the NJ AI Hub and the state’s research universities and community colleges under a single comprehensive framework that connects education, workforce development, research and economic growth.

In addition, the state is making a $25 million investment to support a statewide AI supercomputer initiative.

“Thank you all for being here. This happens to be the last major announcement of my administration. I think it’s the last announcement – period,” said Murphy. “And honestly, I could not imagine a more fitting capstone to our eight years in office. So, this week, we’re taking a massive leap forward in advancing one of our administration’s highest priorities, which is reviving New Jersey’s reputation as a global home for innovation.

“Since day one, we’ve set out to build a state that is brimming with opportunity for all New Jerseyans – our students, our workers, our entrepreneurs, especially our children, who will lead the economy of the future. And this morning, we’re coming together once again to celebrate that aspiration becoming a reality,” he continued.

“In a few minutes, we’ll be signing a Memorandum of Understanding that will unite New Jersey’s renowned universities, our public sector, and one of the most formidable companies on the entire planet – Nvidia. And together, collectively, they’re going to shape the future of technology, especially generative artificial intelligence. And, ultimately, unlock a whole new world of possibilities.”

Excited to join @NVIDIA and our higher ed partners this morning to sign an MOU advancing @NJGov‘s reputation as a global home for innovation for AI education, research, and economic growth. pic.twitter.com/x0sHKVJ04e

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 16, 2026

Signing off

After signing the MOU, Murphy took questions from reporters for the last time as governor, following his recently delivered final State of the State and radio show.

NJBIZ asked the governor for any final thoughts on his time in office.

“Yeah – it’s bittersweet,” said Murphy. “Four days to go. Sadly, I’m headed to a funeral right now – Colonel Callahan’s precious wife, Linda. We lost Dick Codey this week. So, there’s also a sense of loss, kind of having nothing to do with our leaving. But it adds sort of an element of emotion to it.

“But when you start doing things for the last time, it really hits you. This is the last avail I’m going to do. I’m going to go to the Devils tomorrow night for the last time as governor. Yeah, it’s bittersweet, emotional,” the governor continued. “As you can tell, by virtue of gathering today, we’re doing what we said we would do, which is running through the tape.”

He passes the baton to Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill at noon Jan. 20.